Pluses and minuses

Minus: Clearly, many in our county still feel financially strapped and perhaps averse to raising tax burdens on themselves. Yet last Tuesday's primary election saw three of four county school district funding issues passed, as well as some local road and bridge funding initiatives. Having said that, we remain surprised at the severity of the loss suffered by the Licking County Soil and Water District funding issue, despite the comparatively meager amount asked of affected taxpayers. We are also troubled by the apparent, narrow loss of the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities levy. Unofficial vote tallies show the measure down by a mere eight votes. Some comfort: there are 289 ballots remaining to be counted which could reverse this apparent rejection on the part of voters.

Plus: A recent survey of local data indicates while not as robust as it was this time last year, the local residential construction market continues to show signs of renewed life. Despite a wickedly unseasonable first quarter of the year, local foreclosure rates are down, home sales up and sale prices are increasing. New business traditionally follows new roof lines, so we are hopeful the housing boomlet will similarly drive commercial expansion.

Plus: It also comes as welcome news that L Brands (formerly Limited Brands) is planning to add a third campus in the Licking County portion of New Albany. The third campus (joining those in Reynoldsburg and on Morse Road) will total 900,000-square feet upon completion and is expected to result in an eventual workforce of about 600 at the site.

Plus: As reported in Thursday's Advocate, in a special event on May 27, the Evans Foundation is expected to unveil a major construction project on Canal Street, south of the Courthouse Square between Second and Third streets. Over the years, various uses have been proposed for the site, including a farmers market concept. Regardless of what intended use is revealed for the site later this month, taken in concert with the recently announced plan for a major reinvention of the Courthouse Square traffic and pedestrian patterns, it is surely another welcome step forward for our downtown.

Plus: Newark educator Jill Crowe is wrapping up a distinguished career as an art teacher, a job she has performed for 35 years. This week Crowe and her fellow art teachers unveiled an end-of-the-year student art show viewable in Newark High School's lobby. Crowe's guidance has shaped generations of local artists and we encourage those who can to sample the works of Crowe's current crop of budding artists, on display for the next two weeks at the high school.

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Pluses and minuses

Minus: Clearly, many in our county still feel financially strapped and perhaps averse to raising tax burdens on themselves.